Southampton v Arsenal: match preview

Arsenal have let Tottenham pass them up the inside rail in the sprint to make the top four, and while their race is by no means run, it certainly feels as if it is win or bust now for the Gunners. Spurs will almost definitely dispatch a Brighton side that embarrassed Arsenal last time out so to keep pace they simply have to beat Southampton. Fortunately they face a Saints side without a win in five matches so if Arsenal show up and play with an ounce of positivity then Ralph Hasenhüttl’s usual forward-thinking approach should allow for plenty of chances. Chances that have so often gone unfinished this season however. Southampton have hope to end their poor run with Arsenal’s profligate nature only likely to improve once the transfer window opens. Graham Searles

Saturday 3pm

Venue St Mary’s Stadium

Last season Southampton 1 Arsenal 3

Referee Peter Bankes

This season G10 Y48 R2 5 cards/game

Odds H 3-1 A Evens D 11-4

Subs from Caballero, McCarthy, Lewis, Long, Small, Valery, Walcott, Smallbone, Redmond, Tella, A Armstrong, Perraud, Djenepo, Stephens, Romeu, Lyanco

Doubtful Long (ankle), McCarthy (hamstring), Lyanco (hamstring)

Injured None

Suspended None

Discipline Y55 R2

Form WLLLDL

Leading scorers Adams, Ward-Prowse 7

Subs from Ramsdale, Okonkwo, Holding, Awe, Swanson, Elneny, Pépé, Hutchinson, Lacazette, Smith Rowe

Doubtful None

Injured Tomiyasu (calf, 20 Apr), Tierney (knee, unknown), Partey (hamstring, unknown)

Suspended None

Discipline Y47 R3

Form WWLWLL

Leading scorers Saka, Smith Rowe 9